Page 112 of Storm and Tempest

Gratitude pushed anxiety out of the brain. In fact, the two couldn’t coexist inside a person’s mind, so he’d fight fire with fire and keep saying thank you for anything he could think of. And he’d keep doing that until this was over. In between, yes, he was asking for what he wanted. Laying his desires down and trusting God for what happened next.

He had no other way to fight this than to ask for God’s intervention.

Thank You that MSI had a plan.

Maybe it had only been Bear, but regardless, things were still going to plan. Sort of. At least the highlights were on track.

He hadn’t seen Kenna yet.

Jax went to stand on the cot mattress and tried the ceiling tiles, just in case one wasn’t securely fastened. He might be able to climb up there.

Sure, he’d purposed in his heart to trust God no matter what, but he was still going to do everything he could to get out of here. Surrender wasn’t about giving up and quitting.

A dull thud echoed down the hall.

Jax jumped off the cot and went to the door so he could see out. So what if they saw him watching.

But it wasn’t any of the gunmen or medical staff who worked here.

He spotted a guy in black fatigues, dressed a lot like one of the gunmen from the island but with a couple of distinct differences. It was his friend.

Bear scanned each room as he came down the hall, looking in the little window at every door. Jax knocked on his, drawing the man’s attention.

I guess the plan is working.

Bear rushed over, his gaze scanning the four corners of the door. Then he signaled Jax to back up. He reached up on the side with the hinges. Attaching explosives to the door?

Jax backed up farther, hugging the wall in the corner.

He heard three knocks on the door.

Then two.

Then one.

A long second later, the door popped. Smoke blew from around the frame on the far side from the hinges, and through the lock. Jax rushed over and caught the door as it fell in, making sure it didn’t land hard on the floor and make a lot of noise.

He laid it against the end of the bed. “Got another of those guns for me?”

Bear grinned and held out a pistol. “Thought you were going to complain I took so long.”

“Take as long as you like.” One way or another, he was getting out of here. “Have you found Kenna?”

“Sounds like she isn’t back yet. I’ve got my guys spread out all through the facility finding Amara and Bruce and looking for Kenna. One of them shot the breeze with a couple ofDominatusguys who are waiting for orders to go get her.” Bear stopped at the end of the hall and whispered, “Bro…”

“Say it.”

Bear winced. “Sounds like she’s out in the ocean on some kind of dingy. They want to know how she responds to cold exposure, and hunger, so they’ve left her there a few days with nothing. Like a stress test for her and the baby.”

“I’m going to kill these guys.” Jax’s stomach clenched. He checked the weapon and confirmed it was loaded, ready to fire. Safety off. Suppressor screwed to the front to mute the sound of a gunshot at least somewhat. “How did you get in without being discovered?”

Even walking down the halls trying to escape was a risk.

“Orders from on high. Half the staff went to the mainland.” Bear quick-walked down the hall, his steps almost silent. Which for a big man was pretty impressive. “The other half haven’t realized the security system has been tampered with.” He winked over his shoulder, then proceeded around a corner. He said, “Copy that,” to whoever was on the other end of his comms.

“Where is Bruce?” Jax wanted to ask about Buzard, just to make sure the guy didn’t disappear and manage to escape.

“Sedated and being prepped for surgery since they were done with yours. Looks like they were going to take most of his organs.” Bear muttered under his breath. “These guys are sick.Carving people up. Zeyla told me some of what happened to her.”